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Experiencing LIFE Today - December 16, 2016

I never met a Christian who sat down and planned to live a mediocre life. — Howard Hendricks

Close your eyes for a moment, and imagine into the future. Seriously, close your eyes and imagine. Think ahead to the moment when you will live out 2 Corinthians 5:10:

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

That last little word "bad" probably sends shivers up your spine, and it probably should, at least at first thought. I mean, think about everything bad you've done and now you are about to "receive what is due" ... yikes.

But remember, we aren't talking about the "great white throne judgment" where those who don't know Jesus are separated and punished. This judgment seat of Christ is where those whose sins are already covered by the blood of Jesus meet Him face to face, and this is what will happen:

If anyone builds on this foundation [Jesus Christ] using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person's work. —1 Corinthians 3:12-13

Think this through, okay? At the judgment seat of Christ, He is going to put everything under the torch and the good stuff will survive (good news) and the bad, worthless stuff will go up in flames (equally good news, I think!). Again, I ask you to imagine it. You are standing there, meeting Jesus face to face and right then He takes a blowtorch to your life. And anything that is worthless (that is what the word translated "bad" in 2 Corinthians 5:10 actually means), anything that was in the flesh, any impure motives, any momentary lapses, any bad choices – even the sin that is already covered by His blood so He can't see it – all will be burned beyond recognition for all of eternity. No memory, no shame, no guilt, no blame, it will all be gone!

Wow, the day we stand before the judgment seat of Christ ... that is going to be a great day, isn't it?

Jesus, I need You to rewire my brain on this one! Renew my mind about the day I will stand before You in judgment. I thank You ahead of time, and I praise You from the bottom of my heart, that all the worthless things go up in smoke and You greet me with nothing but good. Glory to Your name. Amen.

The Best of 2016 is a collection of Pete, Stuart, and Jill’s most requested messages of the year. You’ll hear about real-life issues – and how you can experience real Life in Christ no matter what you’re going through. May this powerful CD set bless you into the new year!